Leading global memory supplier Qimonda is looking to gain an edge over the competition through its early adoption of GDDR5 technology for graphic memories. We already know that ATI GCG are utilising GDDR5 modules on their RV770XT cards, and Qimonda are looking to further seize the opportunity by ramping up GDDR5 production.

According to Qimonda Vice President, Robert Feurle it's not only the end user that benefits from the technology but also computer manufacturers.

In the realm of memory chips for graphic cards used in PCs and laptop computers, GDDR5 is becoming the next predominant DRAM standard, offering much higher memory bandwidths compared to other technologies...

While the higher memory bandwidth drives the performance in discrete graphics systems higher by up to 40 percent, something the user can see on his computer, computer manufacturers benefit from high signal integrity and low power consumption. "GDDR5 lowers manufacturing costs since it is possible to use simple 4-layer boards for memory subsystems",

2 GBit devices are scheduled for ramp-up in 2010, and 4 GBit devices are already in sight, with the company's buried wordline technology being an important productivity booster since it enables smaller memory cells...

The development does not only aim at higher densities and lower power but to higher bandwidths as well. While the company presently has devices for data speeds of 4.0 Gbps and 5.0 Gbps in mass production, it is already working on faster chips. Qimonda engineers have built a 6.4 Gbps reference platform which will be available in the next chip generation.

According to Qimonda, GDDR5 is here to stay for a while - "It has enough headroom for the about five years as the dominating standard"